Gabonese politicians to fix presidential election date

Gabonese political party leaders and the Minister of Interior and Local Authority, Jean François Ndougou, meeting here on Thursday, are expected to come out with a date for the country's presidential election, official sources told PANA.

According to Gabonese constitution, elections should be held 45 days after the a cting president, who must be chairman of the senate, is sworn in following the death of a president.

PANA recalls that the Gabonese Senate Chairman, Rose Rogombe, was sworn into off ice as acting president following the death of President Omar Bongo Ondimba on 8 June.

According to the sources, Gabonese political class is, however, considering the 45-day period too short to hold a free and fair presidential election.

Under the supervision of the Interior Ministry, elections are usually held only after the voters' register is revised, and displayed for possible objections and claims. These claims and objections must be resolved before actual voting will take place.

Libreville - 02/07/2009

Pana